kirtle
UK[ˈkɜːtl]US[ˈkɜːrtl]
n
A woman's gown or outer petticoat.
n
A man's tunic or coat.
Etymology
The word 'kirtle' originates from the Old English 'cyrtel', which itself was a borrowing from Old Norse 'kyrtill', meaning a tunic or coat. This Norse term is believed to be derived from Latin 'curtus', meaning 'short', likely referring to the garment's length compared to a full robe or cloak. The word was common in Middle English, describing a garment worn by both men and women, but its usage gradually narrowed and became archaic. It survives today primarily in historical or poetic contexts, evoking medieval or Renaissance attire.
Analysis
The word 'kirtle' is a simplex word borrowed from Old English. It is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The noblewoman wore a velvet kirtle beneath her surcoat.
In the painting, the bard is dressed in a simple linen kirtle.
The term 'kirtle' often appears in descriptions of historical costume.